The scheduled commencement of trial in the cybercrime case against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following an objection raised by her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN).
Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, in a case instituted by the Federal Government.
She was arraigned on June 30 and granted bail on self-recognition. The lawmaker is accused of transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.
The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, allege that during a political gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to have her killed in the state. She reportedly repeated the allegation in a subsequent television interview.
According to the prosecution, her statements were defamatory and capable of inciting unrest, thereby violating Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, said the prosecution was ready to call its first witness and had even mounted a television screen in preparation. However, defence counsel West-Idahosa objected, arguing that the defence had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court on grounds of alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He further complained that the defence team had not been served with copies of the prosecution’s witness statements.
Although Kaswe insisted that the objection should not stall the trial, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the court would first hear and decide on the preliminary objection before proceeding.
The matter was adjourned to October 20 for the hearing of the objection and possible commencement of trial.
